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For boats

This remote
atoll is one of the friendliest places cruising sailors will encounter during
their voyage. The descendants of William Marsters, who settled this atoll in
1860 with his 3 wives, then 17 kids and 54 grand-kids, have traditionally
welcomed seafarers.APPROACHCall Palmerston
Island on VHF CH 16. They will give you an
instruction how to moor.MOORINGS AND ANCHORThere are
6-8 mooring buoys near the NW corner of Palmerston
Island (West Island
of the atoll). One of them position is18 02.79S
and 163 11.52WAll are
private and cost 10 NZD per day. The moorings should be treated with caution
and checked for strength. The mooring buoys are about 150 m from the reef barrier.
They are safe if NE-E-SE is blowing. Westerly winds will push you close to the
reef. If the wind is not strong it’s could be OK, but keep a sharp look and do
not leave the boat. If your boat is to close to the reef or the swell makes
staying danger just relapse the buoy and go away. It is also
a good practice to have a completely separate second backup line, tied with a
rolling hitch somewhere below the mooring ball/loop, and the other end secured
onboard. This can be left loose, but provides a failsafe if any of the
mooring-ball associated line/connections fail.At high
season (July-October) there may be no moorings available, or you may be
requested to move off them and anchor. Anchor hold poor, the bottom is coral. Always call
Palmerson Island, you will be guided as to which
buoy to pick up, or where to anchor. They will also come to you and help to tie
the boat.DINGHY LANDINGThe pass
into the lagoon is very narrow, shallow and winding. It’s strongly recommended
not to do it yourself. Call your host or other local people and ask about
transfer from boat to the shore. It’s safe and free of charge.FORMALITIESAbout Cook
Islands Formalities you can read there ……..Palmerston
is not a port of entry, but you can sail there from Atiu, Aitutaki or Rarotonga
and then leave the country (to Niue,
Tonga or other
directions). Inform about your plans the customs during check in port of entry;
they will prepare a special permission allowing visiting Palmerston after check
out. Crews must
remain on board until administration officer will come and do a clearance. Note
that officials do not work on Sundays, in which case you will have to wait
until Monday to clear in.On
departure, the Island Administration will issue a departure certificate.I’m not
sure if Palmerston could be your first port of Cook Islands.
If you want to do it – ask the officials on Palmerston:Palmerston
Island Administration contact: The Executive Officer, email:
palmerstonoffice@gmail.com ph:(682)376 20.There is a
fee of 5NZD per person (local tax)BRINGING SUPPLIESThe island
is very isolated and a supply boat comes only once every 3-5 months. The islanders
therefore appreciate it if yachties are able to carry packages (food) if coming
from Aitutaki or Rarotonga. Anyone willing should contact William (Bill)
Marsters giving as much notice of the expected departure date as possible Bill
will contact family members who will bring supplies for you to take to
Palmerson (such as eggs, fruit and vegetables).c/o Bill
Tuakana Marsters , PalmerstonTel:+68237636
or +68276106 Fax:(also on Skype)mardearpalmerston@gmail.comWATEROnly water
collected from the rain is available. Ask your host.FUELNo fuel, no
gasoline,WiFiThere is a
BlueSky Hot Spot (the same as on other Cooks Islands, you can use early bought
codes), but note, is very, very slow.FIRST AIDThere is a
first aid point with a nurse. The have good packs of medicines.OTHER FACILITIES:There are
few families on the island. One of them will be your host. They will come to
the boat to help with moorings, and say Good morning. They will help you with
clearance, transfer to a shore, feed you every day, and take you on a tour of
the island and fishing. Laundry is possible. Any questions? Any problem? Ask
your host. You will
have your own family during your stay.Because of
the isolation of the island and very seldom visits of supplying ship it is
recommended to prepare something in return for hospitality of islanders. They
will be very glad if they can get from you some food, small gifts, cigarettes
or even pace of clothes.FACTS:Ciguatera
only on grouper. Local time
is Papeete time. No bugs, no
flies. No shops,
banks, ATM, hotels, bars.Navionics
is off by 1/2 mile (charts are moved S direction)

For crews

The islands
looks to be in the middle of nowhere, but host system is great. Your crew will
have a host, one of the families, which help you with everything, and provide
adventures on the island. Every day
they will transfer you to the island, feed (local fishes), take a tour around
island, go fishing, snorkeling etc. Other islanders are also very friendly and
helpful, they will invite to their houses and yards and tell their stories.It’s woeful,
peaceful and friendly place in the world. Worth to visit.